Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A base is configured to stabilize rolling movement of the exercise ball under the influence of a user seated on the ball. The base defines a range in which rolling movement of the ball is unimpeded by the base, and has an obstacle portion configured to impede rolling movement of the ball beyond that range. This enables the base to stabilize the ball and the seated user upon rolling movement of the ball into contact with the obstacle portion of the base.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/598,324 filed Aug. 3, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This technology relates to an apparatus for use with an exercise ball.

BACKGROUND

An exercise ball can be used for core stabilizing exercises. Specifically, a user can perform balancing exercises while sitting on the ball.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for use with an exercise ball comprises a base configured to stabilize rolling movement of the exercise ball under the influence of a user seated on the ball. The base defines a range in which rolling movement of the ball is unimpeded by the base, and has an obstacle portion configured to impede rolling movement of the ball beyond that range. This enables the base to stabilize the ball and the seated user upon rolling movement of the ball into contact with the obstacle portion of the base.

In the example described below, the base is a platform with a ball support surface configured to support the ball for rolling movement. The ball support surface is non-spherical, and the obstacle portion of the platform projects upward above the ball support surface. More specifically, the ball support surface in the given example is a level planar surface, and the obstacle portion of the platform is a rim structure that surrounds the ball support surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an exercise station that includes an exercise ball, a base, and exercise bands.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the base shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 5, schematically showing a range of rolling movement of the exercise ball on the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exercise station shown in FIG. 1 has parts that are examples of the elements recited in the claims. These include an exercise ball 10 that is sized for a person to perform core stability exercises while sitting on the ball 10. A base 12 rests on a floor surface 14 to support the ball 10 for rolling movement under the influence of the seated user. Elastic exercise bands 16 are attached to the base 12.

This example of the claimed base 12 is a platform 12. This particular platform 12 has a substantially rectangular peripheral shape and is symmetrical about longitudinal and transverse centerlines 21 and 23 (FIG. 2). A pair of parallel opposite side edges 24 and 26 of the platform 12 extend longitudinally between a pair of bowed opposite end edges 28 and 30. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the platform 12 is constructed as a unitary hollow body of molded plastic material. The hollow structure of the platform 12 is rigid enough to support the weight of the user without collapsing between its top and bottom sides 34 and 36. The bottom side 36 of the platform 12 is preferably configured to lay flat upon the floor surface 14 without rocking, and preferably has recesses 38 for the platform 12 to be stackable, as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The top side 34 of the platform 12 has foot placement areas 40 and 42, and further has a ball support surface 44.

The ball support surface 44 is configured to support the exercise ball 10 for rolling movement under the influence of the user seated on the ball 10. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, this particular ball support surface 44 is a level planar surface with a smooth texture. As shown in FIG. 2, the ball support surface 44 preferably has a non-circular peripheral shape.

An obstacle portion 46 of the platform 12 is configured to impede rolling movement of the ball 10 beyond the periphery of the ball support surface 44. In this particular example, the obstacle portion 46 projects upward above the ball support surface 44 as a rim structure that extends continuously about the periphery of the ball support surface 44. The platform 12 is thus configured to support the ball 10 and the seated user such that the ball 10 has a range of movement in which it can roll back and forth in all directions across the ball support surface 44 under the influence of the seated user without encountering any impediment to such rolling movement, and is further configured to provide a stabilizing impediment to such rolling movement if and when the ball 10 moves into contact with the rim structure 46 at the periphery of the ball support surface 44, as indicated in FIG. 6.

The platform 12 further has an array of anchor structures 60 for attachment of the exercise bands 16 (FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, four anchor structures 60 are provided in recesses 62 at the opposite side edges 24 and 26 of the platform 12. Two additional anchor structures 60 are provided in apertures 65 that extend through the platform 12 at locations on the longitudinal centerline 21. Each anchor structure 60 is shaped as a rod for releasable attachment of a clip 66 at the lower end of an exercise band 16.

The foot placement surfaces 40 and 42 extend across and along the top 34 of the platform 12 between the rim structure 46 and the opposite ends 28 or 30 of the platform 12. The platform 12 is preferably large enough for a sitting or standing user to place the left and right feet on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline 21 at either one of the foot placement surfaces 40 or 42. The user can then grasp the handles 74 on a pair of exercise bands 16 while facing in either direction along the length of the platform 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the foot placement surfaces 40 and 42 in this example are ribbed for traction, and have distinct areas 76 for receiving labels.

This written description sets forth the best mode of the claimed invention, and describes the claimed invention to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use it, by presenting examples of the elements recited in the claims. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples, which may be available either before or after the application filing date, are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

1. An exercise apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with an exercise ball, the exercise apparatus comprising: a base configured to stabilize rolling movement of an exercise ball under an influence of a user seated on the exercise ball; said base defining a range in which said rolling movement is unimpeded by said base, and wherein said base includes an obstacle portion configured to impede said rolling movement beyond said range; whereby said base can stabilize the exercise ball and the seated user upon rolling movement of the exercise ball into contact with said obstacle portion of said base.
 2. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said obstacle portion of said base extends about the periphery of said range of rolling movement.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base has a ball support surface configured to support the exercise ball for said rolling movement in said range.
 4. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said ball support surface is non-spherical.
 5. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said ball support surface is planar.
 6. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said ball support surface has a smooth texture.
 7. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said ball support surface is configured to support the exercise ball for rolling movement in all directions across said ball support surface.
 8. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said ball support surface has a noncircular peripheral shape.
 9. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base is configured to lay flat on a floor surface without rocking.
 10. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base has anchor structures configured for attachment of exercise bands to said base.
 11. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base has foot placement surfaces, each of which is configured to support both feet of a user standing on said base.
 12. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said foot placement surfaces include a pair of foot placement surfaces that are spaced apart from each other across said range of rolling movement.
 13. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base comprises a platform.
 14. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said platform has a rectangular peripheral shape.
 15. An exercise apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction for use with an exercise ball, the exercise apparatus comprising: a platform having a ball support surface configured to support an exercise ball for rolling movement under an influence of a user seated on the exercise ball; said platform further having an obstacle portion configured to impede rolling movement of the exercise ball beyond the periphery of said ball support surface; whereby said platform can stabilize the exercise ball and the seated user upon rolling movement of the exercise ball into contact with said obstacle portion of said platform.
 16. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said obstacle portion of said platform projects upward above said ball support surface.
 17. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said obstacle portion of said platform extends about the periphery of said ball support surface.
 18. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said ball support surface is non-spherical.
 19. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said ball support surface is planar.
 20. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said ball support surface is configured to support the exercise ball for rolling movement in all directions across said ball support surface.
 21. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said ball support surface has a noncircular peripheral shape.
 22. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said platform is configured to lay flat on a floor surface without rocking.
 23. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said platform has a rectangular peripheral shape.
 24. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said platform has anchor structures configured for attachment of exercise bands to said platform.
 25. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said platform has foot placement surfaces, each of which is configured to support both feet of a user standing on said platform.
 26. An exercise apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said foot placement surfaces include a pair of foot placement surfaces that are spaced apart from each other across said ball support surface. 